Verizon Wireless and Motorola Inc. officially unveiled the Droid today, announcing the device will be available Nov. 6. The smartphone, Verizon Wireless’ first product using Google Inc.’s Android operating platform, has been advertised heavily recently in a somewhat stealth “iDon’t” campaign.
The partnership between Verizon, Google and Motorola is challenging AT&T Mobility’s exclusive partnership with Apple Inc.’s iPhone, which has been wildly successful, contributing heavily to AT&T’s third-quarter record subscriber gains.
The handset costs $200 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new, two-year contract. It generally has been well received by the analyst community. A Boy Genius Report posted Oct. 19 praises the Android-based device.
“This is an exciting announcement for Verizon Wireless, as the Droid by Motorola is the first device that we are bringing to market under our ground-breaking strategic partnership with Google,” said John Stratton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. “Droid by Motorola gives customers a lifestyle device with access to more than 12,000 applications that will help them stay in touch, up to date and entertained, using the best 3G network in the country.”
Verizon is touting features such as the ability to toggle between up to six applications, Wi-Fi connectivity, a 3.7-inch high-resolution screen, a 5-Megapixel camera and Google Maps Navigation. In Verizon’s other devices that come with navigation features, the carrier has offered them via a white-label agreement with Networks In Motion Ltd.
The device comes preloaded with a number of features, including Google Maps, Gmail, You Tube, Google Talk, the Android Market, Calendar, Amazon MP3 Store and Verizon Visual Voice Mail. Interestingly, the handset doesn’t come preloaded with Verizon’s VCast service.
Moto’s Droid on sale at Verizon starting Nov. 6
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